IN John's first epistle he has written, "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." From then until now this united fellowship with God and His Christ has been extolled and much sought after, and multitudes of Christians have longed to see it sweep the world in one mighty wave of united understanding and love.
Ever since the time when Christ Jesus declared that he would found his church on earth, assemblages of his followers have worked together for the promotion of Christianity. They have labored long and earnestly that Christ might be known and loved by all; that men might be lifted continually into higher, holier living through intimate acquaintance with Jesus' teaching and life; and these assemblages they have called churches. Of this collective Christian church it has been said, "That is only true church organization when heads and hearts unite in working for the welfare of the human race." In the desire to win such Christian fellowship the Christian church has stood first.
Through all the centuries since Jesus walked among men the Christian church has therefore stood guard over his gospel and has preserved it through all sorts of dire assaults and vicissitudes. In doing this it is not strange that much diversity of opinion has arisen as to both the letter and the spirit of the teaching which Jesus lived to present and demonstrate. Over and above all the human effort, which has been proved in so many instances to have been more or less mistaken, we can see how divine Providence has still been guiding and governing, allowing that which was false in the effort of the churches so to prove itself, and causing the try to shine forth with ever brighter and brighter luster.
